The last Monday of May is reserved for Memorial Day, in honor of soldiers who died during their service to the United States.
Congress officially declared Memorial Day a national holiday in 1971, though its origins trace back to the Civil War era. It was initially known as Decoration Day, when friends and families honored fallen soldiers by placing flowers on their graves.
Here are ways you can celebrate Memorial Day 2026 in central Iowa.
Decoration Day and Historic Baseball at Living History Farms
This family-friendly event will recreate what Decoration Day might have looked like more than a hundred years ago. A procession will begin at the gazebo starting at 1 p.m., with a ceremony at the cemetery following immediately afterwards. At 3:30 p.m., a historical baseball demonstration will take place, with players following rules from 1876.
Valley Church Weekend Service, West Des Moines
This church is hosting a weekend service in honor of Memorial Day. Veterans and their families will be treated to a free meal.
Iowa Gold Star Museum, Johnston
Have a complimentary, military-style breakfast and then roll up your sleeves for a blood drive. Choirs and bands will perform alongside reenactors. You can learn more about Iowa’s military history through the museum’s tours before heading to a wreath-laying ceremony.
Two celebrations by Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
Staff at the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs will be joined Col. Eric Soults and Lt. Col. Jodi Marti to deliver keynote speeches. Soults will speak at the cemetery and Marti at the Iowa Veterans Home.
The first ceremony will be broadcast on the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs’ Facebook Page, and the second will be on the Iowa Veterans Home’s Facebook Page. Both can be viewed afterwards on the department’s YouTube Channel.
Two ceremonies hosted by Larry Nehring Detachment of the Marine Corps League
The Larry Nehring Detachment of the Marine Corps League will host two Memorial Day ceremonies.
The ceremonial firing detail will begin at 9 a.m. at the park, before the ceremony moves to the Capitol Complex at 10 a.m.
Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, Des Moines
The program will include a tribute from the Iowa Patriot Guard Riders on their motorcycles. Highland Park Legion Post 374 and Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery present the service, which will include a gun salute and taps.
Diocesan Memorial Day Mass, Des Moines
Be a part of the choir for the Memorial Day Mass. The NPM Chapter, in partnership with St. John’s Basilica, will lead the music for vocalists to come together this special celebration. To join, make sure to register via Eventbrite.
Ames Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
Ames will host a Memorial Day parade and a ceremony at the Ames Municipal Cemetery.
The event features retired U.S. Army Col. Reggie Richardson, who rose from a private first class in 1986 to the rank of colonel during a 35‑year military career. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University.
Raymon Veterans Park, Albion
This ceremony will be filled with music from a variety of performers, including the Men’s Chorus Quartet and the Marshalltown Brass Quartet. The event will feature live music and a raising of the colors by several local veteran associations.
Know of an event we missed? Email iowaconnect@gannett.com for consideration.
Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How central Iowans can honor fallen service members this Memorial Day
Reporting by Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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